Method and device for aligning printing plates on printing cylinders

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning printing plates on printing cylinders to provide an image or indicia on metallic cylindrical containers.

1 . A method for aligning printing plates on printing cylinders outside a printing press, comprising:
 a. determining predetermined first and second positions with the aid of previously determined printing-cylinder-specific correction values for a first and a second printing cylinder,   b. arranging the first printing cylinder outside a printing press in a first holding position,   c. providing a first printing plate,   d. positioning the first printing plate on the first printing cylinder in a predetermined first position,   e. recording first position data for the first printing plate positioned on the first printing cylinder,   f. arranging the second printing cylinder outside a printing press in accordance with a second holding position,   g. providing a second printing plate,   h. positioning the second printing plate relative to the second printing cylinder in a predetermined second position,   i. recording second position data for the second printing plate positioned relative to the second printing cylinder,   j. checking the first and second position data with the aid of the predetermined first and second position,   k. if necessary correcting the positioning of the first and/or the second printing   plate if the result of the check is negative.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 1. arranging the first and second printing cylinders, with first and second printing plates arranged respectively thereon in accordance with the first and second holding positions, respectively, in a printing press.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the printing plates are dimensionally stable but can move without warping. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein additional printing plates are aligned relative to further printing cylinders and wherein the respective further position data are preferably checked with the aid of the predetermined further position, and wherein moreover the further printing cylinders, with the further printing plates arranged thereon, are moreover preferably arranged in accordance with the further holding positions in a printing press in accordance with step 1. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 reading identification data of the first printing cylinder; 
 reading identification data of the second printing cylinder; and 
 wherein the identification data in each case contain the first and second holding position, respectively. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 linking the identification data of the first and the second printing cylinder to the saved predetermined correction values, preferably to the printing-cylinder-specific correction values, for positioning the printing plates on the respective printing cylinder.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second printing plate has a code, preferably a graphical element and/or a 2D barcode; including but not limited to at least one of a Data Matrix code, a QR code, a MaxiCode or an Aztec code, which is used for positioning the first or second printing plate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 simulating a print with the first and second printing cylinders with positioned first and second printing plates outside a printing press; and   displaying the result of the simulation, in particular in the form of a deviation from the register marks and/or as a virtual printed image.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining and outputting an action for correcting the positioning of the second printing plate if the result of the check and/or the result of the simulation is negative.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second printing plate is held on the first or second printing cylinder, respectively, in the predetermined first or second position, respectively, by a magnetic force. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder and the further printing cylinders is comprised of a magnetic or magnetizable material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first printing plate and the second printing plate and one or more of the further printing plates is comprised of a steel plate strap. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rounding a first and/or a second edge of the first and/or second printing plate.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rolling the first or second printing plate onto the first or second printing cylinder.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 widening an opening and/or registration hole or multiple openings and/or registration holes of the first and/or second printing plate, preferably by increasing the diameter of recesses of the opening or openings by at least 2 millimetres or by increasing the length and/or width of the registration hole(s) by at least 2 millimetres.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the provision of the first or second printing plate includes laying the first or second printing plate on a supporting area of a supporting table. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 changing the first or second holding position of the first or second printing cylinder by a first or second offset.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second identification data contain information on the first or second offset. 
     
     
         19 . A device for aligning printing plates on printing cylinders outside a printing press, comprising
 a holder for arranging a printing cylinder outside a printing press in a holding position;   a positioning device for positioning a printing plate on a printing cylinder, arranged in the holder, in a predetermined position;   a control device for recording position data of a printing plate which is positioned relative to a printing cylinder arranged in the holder; and   wherein the control device is designed to check a second position data of a second printing plate, which is positioned relative to a second printing cylinder arranged in the holder in accordance with a second holding position, with the aid of the first position data of a first printing plate, which is positioned on a first printing cylinder arranged in the holder in accordance with a first holding position, and to output a result of the check.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning device comprises a supporting table which is connected to the holder for arranging a printing cylinder. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning device comprises at least one mating cylinders which is or are designed and arranged so as to roll a printing plate onto a printing cylinder arranged in the holder in accordance with a holding position. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning device and/or a rounding device is designed and arranged so as to round a first and/or a second edge of one, two or more printing plates. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning device and/or a widening device is designed and arranged so as to widen one or more openings and/or registration holes of the first and/or second printing plate, preferably by increasing the diameter of recesses of the opening or openings by at least 2 millimetres or by increasing the length and/or width of the registration hole(s) by at least 2 millimetres.